Lansing stands up where Jackson backed down, as Common Ground Music Festival books rapper Ludacris

Courtesy photoLudacris will perform July 17 at the Common Ground Music Festival.The Common Ground Music Festival today announced that Ludacris has been added to the 2010 lineup. If the Jackson County Fair's attempt to book the Atlanta rapper in 2003 is any indication, it should be about 10 days before the uproar about a dirty rapper being allowed to spew filthy language in public park causes organizers to cancel the concert.

I wonder what would happen if there was another attempt to bring Ludacris (or another rapper) to Jackson today. Would there be an outcry from concerned citizens and politicians? Would there be another Citizen Patriot editorial calling rap "little more than artful gibberish"? Would Jackson back down again? Probably. Sigh.

But not Lansing. Common Ground is bravely forging ahead with the hip-hop show, with little concern given to the likelihood of a controversy erupting. And with good reason. Snoop Dogg played at the festival in 2008 without a problem, and The Roots played in 2009 without an appreciable effect on the city's overall moral fiber.

Ludacris wasn't the only act announced today. Here's a look at the new additions:

Max Weinberg Big Band, July 13, tickets on sale now: The drummer for both Bruce Springsteen and Conan O'Brien, Weinberg and his 15-piece orchestra will perform swinging standards.